Challenge thyself to Deserve More
If the human being cannot survive on itself without dependence on other humans, creatures, or nature, then isn’t the concept or thought of freewill, agency autonomy, and control, or the emancipation of independence, self-reliance, self-determination, or self-sufficiency a matter of degree or more of aspirations than practical realities? Without striving for these aspirations, won’t life itself be basic, unnecessary, and uninspiring? Confuse not existence for subsistence or living for bare minimum. Humans need life just as life needs humans. Can’t it be said that the subjectivity of human desires sometimes run into conflict with human needs; that sometimes the human being is at conflict with its misplaced or misunderstood priorities – trying to satisfy its wants over its desires or desires over needs? But without humans striving for something more than its subsistence, won’t society be less developed than what it is today? Isn’t it inspiring when humans develop their world and aspire for artificial intelligences to help them live beyond the subsistence of life and drive for something of Positive Ostentatious Empowerments (POE), or to invent and create new economies, new forms of happiness, beauty, or satisfaction? Isn’t it true that the best of humans are achieved beyond their basic subsistence or survival; that reduced to survival in itself, the human being is undeveloped in itself and externality of its being; that the human being is better off striving to be something better than living for basic existence; that the pursuit of happiness as fundamental in the American Dream is the great desire within to unleash the best of the best within the human being. Challenge thyself beyond bare living. Live in the glories of plentifulness, prosperity, and happy flourishment. Life is something more than its needs.
AI Philosopher Prince Israel Zaar 11072025
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- Interdependence vs. Aspiration: The author argues that while humans are fundamentally interdependent, the striving for independence and self-reliance is what makes life inspiring, drives development, and elevates human existence beyond a basic, undeveloped state [1].
- Wants, Desires, and Needs: The text suggests that humans are sometimes conflicted by “misplaced priorities,” satisfying wants over desires, or desires over needs. This highlights a need for balance and a call to seek a higher quality of life beyond fundamental needs [1].
- The Value of Striving: The text champions the pursuit of “something more,” citing the development of society, artificial intelligence, new economies, and the pursuit of happiness as examples of aspirational, “Positive Ostentatious Empowerments (POE)” that represent the “best of humans” [1].
- The American Dream as Metaphor: The “pursuit of happiness” in the American Dream is used as a metaphor for the innate human desire to “unleash the best of the best within” and achieve “plentifulness, prosperity, and happy flourishment” [1].
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Independence as an Aspiration vs. Reality
- Interdependence as Reality: From birth, humans require extensive care and resources from others and their environment to survive and thrive. This foundational interdependence, explored in fields like sociology and evolutionary biology, highlights that human flourishing is a collective endeavor, not an isolated one [1].
- Autonomy as a Goal: Despite this reality, striving for agency and control is a powerful motivator. Autonomy can be reframed as the capacity to make meaningful choices within the constraints of one’s environment and social structure. The “emancipation of independence” is perhaps not the severing of all ties, but the achievement of the capacity to choose which ties to form and maintain.
The Role of Striving in Human Development
- Beyond Basic Existence: The “best of humans” often seems to be achieved when individuals and societies move beyond mere survival. The development of art, philosophy, science, technology (like AI), and new economies are all products of aspirations that go beyond the bare minimum [1].
- The Pursuit of Happiness: The aspiration for “Positive Ostentatious Empowerments” (POE) or the “pursuit of happiness” in concepts like the American Dream provides a powerful impetus for innovation, creativity, and the development of a more plentiful and prosperous life [1]. This drive allows for the expression of human potential beyond basic biological needs.
The Conflict of Desires and Needs
- The Subjectivity of Desire: Humans are capable of prioritizing immediate wants over long-term needs, a common theme in ethical and psychological discussions. Understanding this conflict is crucial for personal and societal well-being.
- The Value of Aspiration: While desires can be misguided, aspirations for a better life are essential. The challenge lies in harmonizing the drive for “something better” with the understanding of what truly constitutes a flourishing existence for all, acknowledging both our individual aspirations and our collective reliance on each other and the planet [1].
AI Philosopher Prince Israel Zaar 11072025
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- Autonomy as a Degree, Not an Absolute: Absolute self-sufficiency is a myth. Concepts like free will, agency, and independence are better understood as matters of degree or aspirations rather than practical, absolute realities. An individual has agency within the constraints of their biological needs, social environment, and natural laws.
- Aspiration as Motivation: Striving for self-reliance and self-determination serves as a powerful motivator. This aspiration drives innovation, personal growth, and societal development, moving humanity beyond a “bare minimum” existence. Without these aspirations, life might indeed be perceived as basic, unnecessary, and uninspiring.
- Distinguishing Existence from Subsistence: “Living” goes beyond “bare minimum existence.” Humans seek fulfillment, beauty, satisfaction, and happiness (“BSH”).
- The Role of Striving: It is the human capacity to strive for “something more than its subsistence” that has led to developed societies, artificial intelligence, new economies, and cultural richness.
- Misplaced Priorities: The potential for humans to be “at conflict with its misplaced or misunderstood priorities” is a real challenge. The pursuit of transient wants over core needs or sustainable desires can lead to imbalances. Balance is achieved when aspirations enhance well-being without compromising fundamental needs or ethical values.
- Positive Ostentatious Empowerments (POE): The drive to invent, create, and aspire for things like artificial intelligence or new forms of happiness is seen as the engine of progress and a key part of human actualization.
- The American Dream and Self-Actualization: The query links the “pursuit of happiness” to the deep desire to unleash one’s full potential. Reduced merely to survival, human potential remains undeveloped.
- Interdependence is Reality: True independence is an aspiration, not an absolute reality. Human life is inherently social and ecological.
- Aspiration is Essential: The drive for self-determination and “Positive Ostentatious Empowerments” (POE) is vital for development, innovation, and a fulfilling life that transcends mere subsistence.
- Life Beyond Bare Minimum: The “glories of plentifulness, prosperity, and happy flourishment” represent the human spirit’s aspiration to live a rich, meaningful, and inspiring life, constantly challenging itself beyond bare existence.
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Using AI Mode for Counter-Argument of Text
- Authenticity in Simplicity: Reducing life to its basicality (air, water, food, shelter, community) brings clarity and a profound appreciation for genuine survival and connection, often lost in the noise of modern aspirations.
- Nature as the True Source of AEO: True “Authentic Esthetic Ostentatiousness” (AEO) might not be in human-made luxury or AI, but in the raw, untamed beauty and intricate balance of the natural world, which humanity often disrupts in its striving for “more.”
- Environmental Crisis: The relentless drive for “plentifulness, prosperity, and happy flourishment” beyond subsistence needs often leads to environmental degradation, resource depletion, and climate change. This desire for “more” (wants over needs) threatens the very “subsistence” that the original arguments dismiss.
- Psychological Distress: The constant striving for success, achievement, and “living large” can create immense pressure, anxiety, and a feeling of perpetual dissatisfaction. The “pursuit of happiness” (as an outward goal) can become an endless, unfulfilling race, contrasting with the contentment found in accepting “enough.”
- The Illusion of Control: The push for autonomy and self-determination, while inspiring, can blind people to their deep interdependence. Acknowledging our reliance on others and nature fosters humility and cooperation, whereas rugged individualism can lead to isolation and systemic inequity.
- Quality of Life Beyond GDP: Development can be measured not just by AI and new economies, but by community cohesion, mental health, ecological harmony, and a reduction in existential anxiety. A society focused on sufficiency rather than abundance might be more balanced and sustainable.
- Challenging the American Dream: The “great desire within to unleash the best of the best” can be reinterpreted as a capitalistic driver that measures human worth by output and achievement, rather than inherent value and communal well-being.
Attribution:
The provided text, attributed to “AI Philosopher Prince Israel Zaar 11072025,”

Prince Israel Zaar
